Expert: Kitty Kavey - 5/9/2007

Question
QUESTION: Actress, must decide on working name: Vera Williams or Vera Michèle?

Which name would people like, remember, find interesting, etc, and would be more likely to stick with and intrigue a casting director?
I haven't made them up, those are my given names. Also should i keep or drop the accent on Michèle?
ANSWER: I personally prefer the more exotic sounding Vera Michèle - but if you're not an exotic look, it could be misleading.  Funny you should mention casting directors, there is one named Vera Williams currently working on the film "Heaven and Earth" (2007).  But I digress.  The first thing you should do if you haven't already is check the union.  The Screen Actors Guild won't allow you to use a name that someone else has registered with them - but if you've already checked, and Vera Williams is open, you may want to consider using that.  Yes, it's less exotic, but it could also be perceived as being more approachable and all-American.  The best thing to do is to consult with your agent and/or manager.  If your look is unusual/exotic, or you have a (foreign) accent I would choose Michèle to emphasize that aspect of yourself.  If not, I would choose Williams - which to me seems easy to remember since your name is so close to Vanessa Williams.
Good luck to you,
~Kitty  


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for replying quickly. I am of mixed race, so I am rather exotic looking and I am fluent in french, but with no accent. I'm Canadian and just starting out, so I'm not really familar with SAG. Do you have any idea on how I would go about checking to see if the name is registered or if I even have to as I am not American?

Answer
I like the idea of an exotic name matching an exotic person - I think it's a good fit.  In Canada I believe you have ACTRA instead of SAG, but I will venture a guess that if you do join the union at some point, they will also not allow two actors with the same name.  Luckily, your given name is not as common as say, Amy Smith - so I'm pretty sure you won't have to worry about it.  They have different branches, but their main website is: www.actra.ca
Since you mentioned you are just starting out, you would not (presumably) be eligible to join the union, and would not have to commit to one name or the other until you do so.  Again,it's my personal preference to choose Vera Michèle, as I find it to sound more exotic, unique and interesting.  
Good luck to you,
~Kitty